Tag: Toner

It has been so long since I shared any favourite products that I decided I would put together a little post about my current can’t-be-withouts.

I haven’t really bought any new make-up over the last few months, and instead I have been concentrating on my skin. The cold weather really makes my skin even more dry than usual (think tight, cracked and flakey. Nice). So, top of my pamper list has been hydrating masks and rich moisturisers.

After a long break (sorry Liz), I have returned to an old favourite of mine; Liz Earle skincare. I first used the Liz Earle range about 10 years ago, and then allowed myself to be lured away by other brands. I came back though, and that’s what counts, right?

I am particularly loving theInstant Boost Skin Tonic; a gorgeous floral scented, refreshing toner that is just what my skin needs first thing in the morning. I have decanted some into a small spray bottle, and I love to spritz my skin with it after cleansing and before moisturising. In the summer it is particularly divine as a refreshing boost throughout the day, but it’s lush in the winter too.

When I need a treat, I adore the When 10pm Bio-Cellulose Anti-Aging Sheet Mask.It never hurts to anti-age, and sheet masks are my favourite type of masks. This Anti-Aging mask makes my skin feel softer than soft, and super hydrated. The results last for a few days too. When have a whole range of masks (here), and being priced at £7 they aren’t for everyday use (well, not for me anyway), however, they are fab for a weekly pamper session.

My collection of concealers is – quite honestly – disgraceful. I am ashamed to admit that I have a whole drawer full. I have searched and searched (and searched) for a concealer that will cover my dark circles (impossible), not create lines under my eyes, and not leave me looking dry and cakey (achievable, but difficult). The Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser is really very good. I have two shades, and this is the Brightening and Illuminating version. I had to buy it from Amazon.com, and it was shipped from America as far as I can remember. I did find it in the UK now though, (here) albeit at an inflated price. This particular shade is quite pink, and reminds me of the YSL Touche Eclat. It doesn’t have the best coverage for people who resemble pandas (me), but it isn’t even remotely drying and it does brighten up the under eye area nicely.

I could write a book about my concealer struggle, but on days when I just want to look healthy, brighter and hydrated, then the Maybelline Age Rewind concealer is perfect.

Last up is an eyeshadow palette. I was so excited about this palette when it launched last year. I ordered it as soon as it became available and couldn’t wait to try it out. I hesitated about including it here, because it was limited edition. But I love it so much that I just had to write about it.

I know packaging shouldn’t be a consideration when buying make-up, but I could not resist this beautiful box. The shadows are lovely too, with a good mix of shimmer, satin and matte shadows. I particularly like Paradox for the eye lid. It looks a bit daunting in the pan, but it is actually just orange enough, and is more subtle on the skin than it looks like it will be. This palette is one of the items in my make-up collection that just makes me happy when I bring it out. And that’s what make-up should be in my opinion; fun, and a distraction from the crazy people in the news every day.

As always,

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After a lot of fiddling around with the products that I use in the evening, I have now had a long stretch of consistently using the same bits and bobs, and I thought I would share my routine for cleansing etc at the end of the day.

I haven’t used an actual eye make-up remover for ages now, instead opting for Garnier Micellar Cleansing Waterto do the job. I find that this works just as well, and isn’t remotely oily – which some eye make-up removers can be. It also doesn’t sting the eyes, an obvious risk when applying anything near the eyeballs. I use a cotton pad soaked in the Micellar Cleansing water all over to get the majority of my make-up off, before continuing with the Nip+Fab Glycolic Fix Cleanser to thoroughly cleanse (more on the Nip+Fab cleanser here)

The next step is a quick one; a speedy wipe over with the Clarins Extra Comfort Toning Lotion.I have been using this for a few months (I mentioned it in my July Favourites) and I still love it for ensuring all the cleanser has left the building. It is gentle – as the name would suggest – and doesn’t dry out my skin at all. I follow this with either Alpha-H Liquid Goldor, more recently, I have been using the Ole Henrikson Invigorating Night Treatment * This contains – amongst other things – Glycolic Acid (read about my new best friend here ). Glycolic Acid works by penetrating the skin layers and helping the dead skin to fall away (yes, this is the technical term). Thus leaving soft healthy skin behind, with less visible lines and wrinkles.

If using Liquid Gold (2-3 times a week) then I will stop there, as it is more effective when it is not followed by a moisturiser. If not, then I will use Soap and Glory’s For Daily Youth, which I talk about more in-depth here. Again, I have been using this for a few months and I really love it for light, but hydrating, moisturising. I may need to switch it up for a heavier cream now that we are entering the colder months, as my skin will no doubt become dryer.

Finally, eye cream. I actually have several on the go at the moment, but the one I reach for most is the Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Eye. This eye cream is pretty expensive (£24.50 for 15ml) and it’s fine, but not amazing. To be honest, I bought it because Kiehl’s state that it will reduce dark circles. I actually feel a bit silly admitting that I fell for this, as I suspect there is no product on earth that reduces hereditary dark circles (although if you know of one, please let me in on that secret!). While it doesn’t do what I had hoped, it is very moisturising and gentle on the eye area. As to whether it has helped with fine lines, well, who knows?! That’s the problem with fine lines and wrinkles, they are either there, or they’re not. Who can really prove why they aren’t there, when they are not?

Having written all the steps down, it seems like a never ending process. It’s all over in a few minutes though, and it is worth it for me. I dread to think how haggard I would look if I didn’t take five minutes out of my day to properly cleanse and moisturise. Ugh.

How about you, do you like to keep it simple, or do you have even more steps than me?

*This little pot was a PR sample and was part of a skincare set, everything else was purchased by me.

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Next up, the Clarins Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster. I reviewed this in more detail hereso I won’t waffle on for too long now, but let’s just say I’m still loving it for a way to gradually tan my mush. Another Clarins skincare product I’ve been enjoying for the past few weeks is the Extra-Comfort Toning Lotion. I love using this each evening to remove the last traces of cleanser; the soothing aloe vera ensures it doesn’t sting like some toners can. Although not the cheapest, it is a large bottle, and I can see it lasting a good few months.

The Bourjois ColorBoost Lip Crayon in On The Beach(with SPF 15) was actually a free gift included with some other Bourjois purchases. It isn’t a colour that I would normally choose, but I recently gave it another go because I was going to my daughter’s sports day and I couldn’t find a lip balm that contained an SPF. I was pleasantly surprised to find that with a tan I could – just about – pull off this bright peachy colour. I have actually purchased another shade, in a more appropriate nude colour, because I love how easily it goes on. I didn’t find that it lasted 10 hours, but these crayons are super moisturising and just the right side of glossy, without being even remotely sticky.

Finally, the gorgeous Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Eau Fraiche Skinscent. This is a limited edition perfume that is re-released every spring/summer with a different bottle. It smells like coconuts and beaches, and I just love spritzing it from head to toe – and back again. I have tried, and owned, many many perfumes since I was a teenager, and this wins joint first place with my other long term love; a D&G perfume that my husband surprised me with a couple of years ago. It is really a summer scent, but I’m not sure I’ll be able to give it up come autumn.

Thanks for reading, and see you next month!

*This post may contain affiliate links. Thank you for your continued support of Joyful Things!*